Customer Reviews

Chi Kung: Way of Power

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, a disclaimer. Several years ago, I studied briefly with Master Lam. He's a wonderful teacher. Even hardcore taiji types--who often disagree on everything--seem unanimous: Master Lam is the Real Deal. The first volume he published, The Way of Energy, is probably the best book on QiGong I've read. Doesn't mean there are aren't others as good, but based on what I've read, Way of Energy is tops. Volume Two, The Way of Healing, is very good, but reiterates a lot of Volume One. Now in Volume Three--Way of Power--Master Lam offers advanced QiGong exercises that were devised for fighters seeking to increase their power. But a by-product of increased power is increased stamina, health, and sexual energy. This book is highly recommended for anyone with a serious interest in qigong. And if you're over forty, as I am (sigh), the by-products include an increase in sexual energy and vitality the likes of which remind me of being nineteen. Forget the Viagra. Get all three volumes and train. (Just be careful not to waste your qi--a topic Master Lam doesn't cover in detail. Check out Chia's Awaken Healing Energy or Daniel Reid's Tao of Health, Sex & Longevity.)

This book takes the reader beyond Lam's excellent The Way of Energy by introducing more advanced postures than those given in the previous book. Some of these postures are quite difficult to hold for any given length of time and seem to stimulate a stronger flow of qi.

The book starts with a brief description of the first 5 postures in The Way of Energy then gets into the more advanced postures in detail. There are additional power movements and steps taught that complement the postures.

Although not explicity stated, this book assumes knowledge of the material in The Way of Energy. Beginners should definitely start with The Way of Energy and follow up with this one, as The Way of Energy gives more detailed instructions on the basic postures such as Holding the Balloon. If you are looking to go beyond The Way of Energy at this point, then this book is a must. Glad I bought it.

Lam Kam-Chuen's previous book, "The Way of Energy", was one of the first to introduce insights derived from the Chinese martial art Yi Quan (also called Da Cheng Quan) to a large English speaking audience. But the book was largely divorced from it's martial arts root and although well organized and written, it was something of a "light-weight" -- a simple introduction for readers who may not have been interested in qigong before picking up this colorful volume. That criticism is however entirely absent from this latest work. It's advice and exercises run deep and Master Lam spends a fair amount of time discussing other members of his lineage. There's a great deal of interesting content here that I haven't seen published anywhere else in English. Please Note: I actually learned how to swim through reading a book titled "Learn How To Swim In Ten Days". Doesn't seem to currently be available on Amazon, but it was a great guide. The standing exercises from Yi Quan are much easier.

This book started my chinese internal arts journey. I was initially shocked at the author's claim that 'standing like a tree brings great health and martial benefits.' I was intrigued and have spent the last year and a half practicing a few of the basic postures (the beginner's set). In my experience, the author's claim of health and martial benefits has proven true.

It is structured like a workbook, and I am delighted at how simply, beautifully and logically a program of study is laid out. It is so simple that a beginner will most likely make their practice more complex than necessary. This is a limitation of the written word and not a criticism (learning this art only by a book is like learning to swim via "How to Swim in 21 days"!).

This is mainly a reference material, as Books and DVDs do not make good primary instructional material for martial arts/qigong, so plan on attending a seminar or finding a good local school to get the most from this book.

I got the book bacause I injured my hip such that turning in a certain way caused a sharp pain and I was looking for, at least, a partial cure. The hip problem is gone. As is a knee problem I've had for twenty years. As is the sometimes limp from a fractured toe I've had for years. I've lost twenty pounds. What I like most
about "The Way Of Power" is the no nonsense/concise style. Yet, there is just enough background information given and not mixed in with instructional text. What a good deal.

After reading all the positive reviews, I'm feeling a little stupid, but I found the book confusing. I've practiced Zhan Zhong from " The Way of Energy" for about 10 yr, but I had difficulty understanding in this book how to practice. Depending on how you interpret the writing, for instance, you could either practice the foundation exercises for 15 min. or for an hour; hard to tell which was intended. The exercises are, however, described in great detail. One thing is clear and should be made explicit to potential buyers of this book, this practice demands much, much more time than practicing the Way of Energy. For instance, in The Way of Energy, you start your daily practice with a maximum of 5 min. of Wu Chi. In this book you start with a minimum of 5 min. of Wu Chi and build up to 20 min. And this is just the prelude before your actual practice. It's hard to see how any modern employed person would have time for this practice, which will take 2-3 hr. a day, by my reckoning. Personally, I find the exercises in "The Way of Energy" more accessible and also more mentally relaxing.

Unfortunately Ms. F. Gabriele ("gabrielefrank2001") did not get the point. The author of "Chi Kung - Way of Power" explain in his book that the subject he presents may be named Chi Kung, or Da Cheng Chuan, or even Zhan Zhuang. In Mantak Chia's "Tao Yin" book, Mr. Chia explains that the names of these amazing exercises may be Tao Yin, Tao-In, Daoyin, Chi Kung, Qiqong, Qi Gong, including at least nine additional variations. So, what is the point?

The point are the exercices. Mr. Chuen's book "Chi Kung - Way of Power" is very good, very well explained and, most important, will be good for those searching for health care and better life quality. Undoubtedly, the book presents the advanced exercices introduced in the authors previous books "The Way of Energy" and "The Way of Healing". I have been practicing Chi Kung exercices for over 5 years and the results are great. Not a single headache during the lest 3 years, a flu, nothing. Practicing the exercices will help for faster recovering of jetlags as well. The overall health is greatly improved. To me, a morning practice stimulates my mind for a day of work; a final day practice (before the dinner) relaxes for a good sleeping night. What can be better? A hint: daily practice is very important. Enjoy.

Way of Power, by Lam Kam Chuen is a wonderful testimonial to Master Lam's teaching ability. Having taught for forty years myself many subjects including Physical Education, I have appreciated the simplicity and the effectiveness with which he introduces and explains this subject, one which was totally new to me. I have steadily followed his instructions now for several months, reaching his third level of practice. I have been most impressed with the realizatin of the effects that Master lam claims will occur, although, now nearing eighty, I have been somewhat embarrassed by the regeneration of my sexual energy. I rate the book as five star even though I have one criticism of it. I have been confused to a degree in his explanation of the five powers, martial arts movements. For example, in the movement for Metal Power, he asks us to visualize wielding a heavy axe and striking powerful blows with it as though into thick timber. I cannot relate this to his admonition to make the movement smooth, light and relaxed. Smooth, maybe, but light and relaxed.......no way.Similar advice is included for the other powers. The rest of the instruction in the book , however, is so superbly explained and illustrated that I cannot demerit the book for something which I may understand better the more I continue to practice.

The only book directly translated to English from Shalin. I have several books and videos. Save your money and buy this book. Is all you need.
Recommended.I have purchased six books for friends. B.B.

This is an amazing book filled with great information about our energy body and how to strengthen it in SIMPLE AND WELL ILLUSTRATED instructions. Great for anyone who is wishing to understand Chi Gong at a higher level.
DV